New Sewing table
 

I am trying to decide what I need to put my machine on. I used to have old computer tables and they were ok, but since we have moved I have been using an old school desk. It's not big enough for my Bernina B790. I want a new table but can't decide if I want to have my machine recessed down in it or not. The bobbin would be difficult to access if I have the machine recessed, but it does have a large bobbin and I don't have to fill it often. But when sewing clothes I need to use the arm of the machine. Anybody out there have any ideas? I wanted to get a table top from Ikea and use the saw horses from Ikea, they are adjustable in height and I use them now for my cutting table. I went from a very large room to a very small room so furniture from the sewing store is out. No room for it. Let me know the pros and cons of your sewing tables.

Thanks
Jan

Well that's a big machine once the embroidery station is added. I wouldn't want to have it recessed when the embroidery is attached (and I doubt any tables on the market have a recess that large - but I could be wrong). If it were me ... given that I'd have to raise the machine to add the embroidery and raise (or drop) it for every bobbin change ... I would opt for a table that did not recess. But you might want to look into a table that is shorter (or a taller chair??) so that the machine bed is at the optimum height.

For me the most important thing is having the bed of the table at the correct height. I learned to sew back in the day when there were no free arm machines, and do not 'need' a free arm to sew anything.

I have an adjustable height Ikea table and a Sauder sewing table. Neither was expensive nor take up too much room. Both have the bed of the machine at the correct level for me to sit and sew with out straining, my should, neck or back.

My favored sewing table wouldn't work for you - my machines are regular size. Salvation Army often has empty cabinets. They say people only want the heads of vintage machines. So I buy one and retrofit the opening. My only free arm machine has a table that drops to access the free arm, but it isn't used much anymore. I used it heavily when setting sleeves in little girl's dresses. I have difficulty sewing unless the whole area is flat, but I think it's what you are used to. One of piecing machines is a portable. I never know what to do with the weight of the quilt as it grows.

I use these tables in my sewing room. They come in different widths/lengths/ and table finishes. The tables are sturdy and easy to put together.

https://www.staples.com/HON-Non-Fold...oduct_SS974040

If you get a table with a lift mechanism you can have it recessed or level, depending on what you're doing at the time. The lift can be purchased separately if you're building your own table. Here's an example - http://www.rockler.com/sewing-machine-lift-mechanism

I much prefer having my machine recessed in the cabinet. It is a little harder changing the bobbin, but I'd rather have that problem than have the machine at a different level.

Years ago I bought a sewing cabinet from walmart and it still works very well for me. My machines set on top. It is very sturdy and fits where it needs to.

I bought a $100 sewing table on Amazon after sewing on the dining room table for a year because I wanted a recessed section for my machine. It was too hard on my shoulders being up so high. Now I'm at the perfect height. The recessed area is open in the front so I can access the bobbin pretty easily. Also I can lift the recessed section if I want. The table does have some bounce when I'm sewing like the wind but I'm used to it now (it's not bad) and for $100 it was a steal.

check office supply stores (e.g. staples, office max) for adjustable height tables.
there are a few on the market that are raised and lowered by electric motors so you don't have to unload them and fiddle with the legs to get the height you want.
they are not inexpensive but the one i saw a few months ago was not a horrible price.

I would like to find a table that I can stand up to sew at or use the embroidery unit. They say 'sitting' is the new smoking and I'd like to be able to stand up at the machine without having to bend over; it will kill the back or neck. So far I've not been able to find one that I like or is affordable. Even my large bar/counter-top isn't tall enough;hard on my neck.
If using an embroidery unit on your's I'd not get one recessed. Not even sure it'd work well. Good luck in your search.

I got an amazing deal this spring on an Arrow table (kangaroo I think) for my new (this year) 770 QE and it has a drop down. I haven’t yet had the time to play with the embroidery module but I can just bring the machine back up to table level using the spring loaded mechanism when the time comes. I, too, love having the machine recessed for sewing and wish I could get another table for my Janome.

My daughter has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. When she was a teenager it was almost impossible to find a desk or table at the right height to accommodate her wheelchair. So we bought a sturdy shelf and hung it at the exact height for her. Planning to do the same for me. I'm only 4'10" tall and am currently using an old office desk for my sewing table. However it is too high for me. If I raise my chair then I'm too far from the floor to reach the foot pedal. My husband even built a platform for my foot pedal but then I can't get my knees under the desk because of a center drawer. We're in Florida for the winter but when we get back to Michigan in the spring we're doing a complete overhaul of my sewing room, starting with a table for my sewing machine.

I don't know the machine you have but I do know they make those acrylic slide on tables that slide over the arm of your machine so you have a flat table although not a huge one. You can reach under it to change the bobbins. I am making one for myself but not having much luck so I may buy one. Something similar to this. I am not sure if the link will work.
http://www.allbrands.com/products/35...g-machine-exte

Lynda

I use an Ikea table, I have an adjustable office chair and a small raiser that I put the foot pedal on so everything is at the correct height for me. I don't like having the machine recessed, I just have a table extension I can put around the machine if I want a larger flat work surface.

I started out with an Ikea adjustable table, and once I found the height I preferred to work at, I went with the tables supported by drawer stacks. DH now has the table with the lift as he prefers to have his machine a few inches higher than I do. If needed, I can take his machine off and raise up that table to the same height as my cutting table and have a very large work surface.

I have a butcher block table top from Ikea. I also purchased the adjustable legs...5 of them for this table and I have my 830 and my embroidery unit attached to it sitting on it. I do like how this works... now that I have the height adjusted. I do find it easier to change and clean the bobbin area with this set up.

I have used many different tables and have finally found the 2 that I love. One is a piece of plywood that I cut to be 36" x 72". It is sitting on 2 files cabinets that I keep current projects in. This proved to be the perfect height for me. I painted it black and then applied several coats of matte varnish. It is long, smooth and doesn't reflect light. I keep a 30" x 36" cutting matte at one end. The other is a small sullivan table that I bought to sit right outside my workroom. My workroom has very poor insulation and sewing late at night in the dead of winter was actually painful. The sullivan table sits right on top of the heater vent!!! In January that is where you will see the main machine. My workroom has several other 'regular' tables and I use them for other projects (painting, building, etc.). The main reason for picking them for projects is being the correct height - this is critical for working extended period of time.

when using it for embroidery or the arm it is not recessed you can get a lift and be able to do it all it will raise your machine up when needed and lower it

I have tables that I bought at Office Max for less than $100 each...may also be available at Sam's. They are perfect height, and high enough for the small storage drawer units to fit underneath...also can be closed up if needed for moving. Good Luck finding what you need.